Eruption of Alaska volcano declines after shooting ash cloud up to 25,000 feet into air
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said a low-level ash cloud was sent about 15,000 feet above sea level. It was moving east-northeast as the National Weather Service issued an aviation advisory warning of hazardous weather in progress for the ash cloud.
Aerial video shows Shishaldin Volcano in Alaska erupting lava
A U.S. Coast Guard crew captured this video of smoke rising from the lava erupting from the Shishaldin Volcano on Unimak Island in Alaska. (Video: USGS Alaska)
UNIMAK ISLAND, Alaska – The eruption of Shishaldin Volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Islands has slowed down, after explosive eruptive activity occurred at the volcano Wednesday morning.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said meteorological clouds up to 20,000 to 25,000 feet above sea level began obscuring views of the volcano beginning at around 11:30 a.m. local time.
Earlier on Wednesday, a low-level ash cloud was sent about 15,000 feet into the air early Wednesday. The plume was moving east-northeast as the National Weather Service issued an aviation advisory warning of hazardous weather in progress for the ash cloud.
A Marine Weather Statement was issued for possible trace ash on waters northeast of the volcano.
ALASKA'S SHISHALDIN VOLCANO EXPLOSION SENDS ASH AND STEAM 40,000 FEET INTO THE AIR
False-color satellite imagery of ash emissions.
(NOAA/CIMSS)
Explosion signals were detected in infrasound data since at least 2 a.m. Wednesday local time, the AVO said.
This follows a several-hour increase in seismic tremor and an increase in temperatures at the volcano seen in satellite data. The AVO issued an Orange Watch on their volcano alert scale shortly after the detection, which means a volcano is "exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption," with an uncertain time frame, or that an eruption is under way but poses limited hazards.
On Friday, a U.S. Coast Guard flight confirmed that lava was erupting from the summit of Shishaldin. At least two explosions were seen coming from the volcano and sent ash and steam into the air.
MYSTERIOUS 'NOODLY LINE' IN OCEAN FLOOR LEADS TO IMPORTANT DISCOVERY OFF ALASKAN COAST
![2022 File photo: Shishaldin Volcano viewed from the north. Lava flows from the 2019 eruption are visible in the center of the image.]()
Image 1 of 52022 File photo: Shishaldin Volcano viewed from the north. Lava flows from the 2019 eruption are visible in the center of the image. (David Free/ Alaska Volcano Observatory / University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute)
![Elevated surface temperatures within the summit crater at Shishaldin Volcano. This is visible as the lighter colored pixel within the darker gray crater in the approximate center of the image. This image is from VIIRS satellite mid-infrared data, captured on July 11, 2023.]()
Image 2 of 5Elevated surface temperatures within the summit crater at Shishaldin Volcano. This is visible as the lighter colored pixel within the darker gray crater in the approximate center of the image. This image is from VIIRS satellite mid-infrared data, captured on July 11, 2023. (AVO/USGS)
![An annotated still from a video captured by Ian Erickson of the U.S. Coast Guard of eruptive activity at Shishaldin Volcano on July 12, 2023.]()
Image 3 of 5An annotated still from a video captured by Ian Erickson of the U.S. Coast Guard of eruptive activity at Shishaldin Volcano on July 12, 2023. Weak steam and gas emissions are observed emanating from a new scoria cone that is now growing within the summit crater. A very minor deposit of dark ash is visible just downwind of the erupting vent on top of the snow. (USCG/Alaska Volcano Observatory)
![A still from a video captured by Ian Erickson of the U.S. Coast Guard of eruptive activity at Shishaldin Volcano on July 12, 2023.]()
Image 4 of 5A still from a video captured by Ian Erickson of the U.S. Coast Guard of eruptive activity at Shishaldin Volcano on July 12, 2023. (USCG Alaska)
![A steam and ash explosion from the Shishaldin Volcano in Alaska on July 14, 2023.]()
Image 5 of 5A steam and ash explosion from the Shishaldin Volcano in Alaska on July 14, 2023. (Alaska Volcano Observatory)
The last four significant ash events during the current eruption resulted in ash clouds with heights up to 40,000 feet above sea level, similar to other historical eruptions.
Shishaldin is one of the most active volcanoes that are part of the Aleutian Island arc, with 26 confirmed eruptions since 1824.
The volcano was elevated to yellow advisory level in July 2019. During that period, the volcano went on to erupt and produced lava flows, pyroclastic flows and mudflows. It was downgraded to green status in June 2020.